FAQ

Freaking Awesome Questions

HOW DO I REGISTER AND PAY?

IS ROCK BAND LAND LOUD?

Yes, it can be at times and we require all of our rockers to wear hearing protection (that we provide) while practicing or performing in RBL.

We play on real instruments with real amplifiers and it can get little crazy. We build up to the big sound so the rockers know what is coming, and we take care to keep the rockers away from the amplifiers and cymbals and keep the levels safe.

To get an idea of how loud we get, crank your stereo up to a song that your rocker loves and jump around your living room screaming the lyrics with them. It’s about that loud.

DO YOU ALLOW CLASS DROP-INS?

Not for Rock Out, Pre-K Rock Out, Video Bing Bong or Arty Bing Bong classes. Each class is a special entity, unique to the artists and rockers in each band. The songs and stories that the artists and rockers create are original and part of a larger, cumulative process. A lot of work and care goes into these creations to be able to perform and show their work at their concert. Having drop-ins and visits interrupts progress and is not fair to the other artists and rockers.

No biggie. Everyone has to miss a class/band rehearsal or two. All we ask is that you let us know in advance if you know you will be away so we can be sure to include your artist's/rocker’s input on whatever stage in the song and story writing process that we are in.

WHAT IF MY CHILD HAS TO MISS A CLASS?

All enrollment fees include a non-refundable deposit (Rock Out! and Video Bing Bong classes = $150.00 // Pre-K Rock Out! = $100.00). If the Rocker’s enrollment is cancelled within two (2) weeks of the session’s start date, there will be no refund issued. If the Rocker’s enrollment is cancelled prior to two (2) weeks of the session’s start date, a refund of the enrollment fee, minus the non-refundable deposit, will be issued.

If you wish to transfer your Rocker’s session, approval by RBL of such transfer will be determined on a case-by-case basis and per availability.

Arty Bing Bong, RBL Clubhouse, Yoga Classes Policy:

Enrollment in these classes/events are non-refundable and non-transferable.

WHAT IF I NEED TO CANCEL OR TRANSFER TO A NEW CLASS?

All Summertime Rock Out Camp and any week long camp enrollment fees include a $150.00 non-refundable deposit. Cancellations that occur four (4) weeks or more prior to the start date of the camp in question will receive a refund minus the $150.00 deposit. No refunds will be given for cancellations that occur within four (4) weeks from the start date of the camp in question. There is a penalty fee in the amount of the deposit ($150.00) if transferring camp spots within 2 weeks of a camp’s start date. If you wish to transfer your Rocker’s camp week, approval by RBL of such transfer will be determined on a case-by-case basis and per availability.

WHAT IS YOUR CAMP CANCEL / REFUND / TRANSFER POLICY?

SO WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE SUMMER CAMPS WAITLIST?

Did Black Sabbath have their parents present when they were creating Iron Man? Did Pete Townshend’s nanny teach him the windmill? Did Kurt Cobain’s dad show him how to dive on top of a drum set?

The answer to all of these questions is a big old nope. Excessive parental involvement in rock and pop music created the creepy side of Mr. Michael Jackson (R.I.P.) and the entirely creepy Miley Cyrus Corporation.

Rock Band Land is a parent and guardian free land of creative expression. Please enjoy the kid free time that our classes reward you with. We have conveniently located our HQ with coffee shops, markets, and gyms nearby.

If you are the nervous sort, don’t fret. Each week we will send a detailed email to all parents outlining the progress of the bands. These include photos, recordings and the occasional video.

CAN PARENTS / GUARDIANS STAY TO WATCH A CLASS?

Sorry, the answer is still no. I can tell you from years of teaching experience, that the best thing a parent can do in these situations is to comfort their child by being excited for them to be in a new class, have an unemotional goodbye, and then to simply leave when it’s time for parents to go. Staying or prolonging the goodbye often exacerbates the very behaviors and feelings in their child that concerned parents are trying to avoid.

We have worked very hard to develop a curriculum that is fun from start to finish. Every session there are one or two rockers who take a few minutes to warm up and get comfortable – this is completely normal, but by the end of the first class they are almost always screaming into the microphone and bashing the drums.

You, the parents, are the best judges of whether or not your child is ready for one activity or another. If they are not quite ready to rock out without you, that’s absolutely fine. Rock Band Land will be here when they are ready.

BUT WHAT IF MY CHILD SOMETIMES EXPERIENCES SEPARATION ANXIETY, CAN I STAY THEN?

RBL Monkey-Donkey Law now requires that a child must be five years old on or before September 1, 2018 to be legally eligible for Rock Out. Rockers younger than this are invited and encouraged to enroll in Pre-K Rock Out.

AT WHAT AGE CAN MY CHILD JOIN THE WEIRD, WILD AND WONDERFUL WORLD OF ROCK BAND LAND?

Sorry, no. You have to be at least 4 years old to ride the imagination rides of Rock Band Land's Pre-K Rock Out Classes, 5 years old to join Rock Out (see RBL's Monkey-Donkey Law in previous answer), 6 years old to join Arty Bing Bong and 7 years old to join Video Bing Bong.

MY CHILD IS NOT QUITE 4, WOULD YOU CONSIDER TAKING HIM / HER IN A ROCK OUT CLASS?

The rockers decide. We ask them to make a first and second choice instruments, to insure everyone gets what their preferences. If there is an issue of too many rockers wanting to play the same instrument, we base our decisions on several factors including behavior in class, what a rocker has played in the past, how long a rocker has been in RBL, and how passionate them seem to be about a particular instrument. We do give priority to our rockers who are taking private lessons with us or other teachers so they have a real life application for the lessons they are working on.

HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO PLAYS THE INSTRUMENTS FOR THE BIG SHOW OR FINAL CAMP PERFORMANCES?

We supply everything a young rocker might need in a band– drum sets, keyboards, guitars, mics, amplifiers, a stage, sound systems, lights, fog machines. All you have to supply is a rocker, we take care of the rest.

DO YOU SUPPLY THE INSTRUMENTS FOR ROCK OUT, OR ARE PARENTS SUPPOSED TO SUPPLY THEM?

Sure. As long as it’s not a Hammond B3, a marimba, or another drum set. Guitars are fine, please be sure their ax has a strap- we have plenty of cables.

MY CHILD WANTS TO BRING HIS / HER OWN INSTRUMENT. IS THAT OK?

Yes and no. There is the fun work of learning and practicing the song. We provide all the song materials your rocker will need, including lyric sheets, chord sheets (for the parents who play an instrument and want to play along), and mp3s of the song. All Rock Out work is purely voluntary. As soon as it stops being fun, stop doing it!

IS THERE HOMEWORK?

No.* Please drop your artists/rockers off well fed and hydrated. Water bottles are fine, but please don’t send your artist/rocker to class with snacks.

*RBL offers RBL Clubhouse sessions throughout the school year. During these special events, RBL will offer snacks. We also offer popcorn during school year and summer camp days.

DO YOU PROVIDE SNACK IN ROCK BAND LAND?

Pickles are kind of a thing in RBL. I could explain it but it wouldn’t make sense - this is how like it. Each week, artist directors and band leaders are chosen by the Rock Band Land Fairies. There are many benefits to being an artist director/bandl eader, one of them is a pickle.

THE GREAT EXCEPTION OF PICKLES

The Big Show is the culminating show for all the bands (except Pre-K) in a given session of Rock Out and Video Bing Bong. During the school year, the shows takes place at the Verdi Club and they are mind blowing spectacles of awesomeness!